Zhang Zhaoci knew the old lady's worries. He sighed and said, "The marriages of your second great-uncle's sisters have not been settled yet. The old lady is anxious. Your second uncle and fifth uncle are not of high rank, so it is not easy for them to marry into high-ranking families. But they are not willing to marry into ordinary families. So it has been left unresolved."
Xu Zhi said, "Actually, I think if we find an ordinary family, and the husband is ambitious, and with the reputation of the Marquis's mansion, why worry about not having a good life in the future?"
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Not everyone is as open-minded as you. Xiao Jiu, marriage is not just about bringing two families together. Sometimes it involves many other things, and there are some exchanges that others cannot see."
Xu Zhi said, "A girl is carefully raised in her parents' home, sometimes just so that she can be like this. Since she enjoys those honors, she has to take on the responsibilities. Mother, I don't think there's anything wrong with that."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Xiao Jiu, our family doesn't need you to do these things. A man's purpose in this world is not only to make a name for himself and bring glory to the family, but most importantly, to protect his wife and children and ensure that they can live well under his protection. My father, your brother, and your younger brother not only have to protect their wives and children, but also you, their daughter and sister. This is what they should do most."
Xu Zhi looked surprised and doubtful when she heard Zhang Zhaoci's words. Zhang Zhaoci nodded and said, "Xiao Jiu, this is our family motto. A real man should take responsibility for himself and do what he is supposed to do. There is no reason to use the women in the family to get things done."
Xu Zhi said emotionally, "Mother, I feel that being your and Father's daughter, and my brother and brother's sister is a very, very happy thing. You don't know, I heard my sixth sister tell me that my second aunt told her that she should find a good husband in the future so that she can help my third brother."
The sixth sister Xu Zhi mentioned was the second daughter of the Xu Pu family, the second branch of the family. She was the sixth in her family and her name was Xu Gui. The third brother was the only boy in their family and his name was Xu Zong.
Granny Lu said, "Your second aunt's thinking is actually quite normal. Nowadays, it's common for daughters from high-class families to marry into lower-class families. Some wealthy families value a girl's character, appearance, talent, and even her ability to manage a household. They don't care much about her family background. Once she marries into such a family, she might become the head of the household and be able to help her brothers in the family."
Xu Zhi said, "But I think my third brother doesn't think that way. This morning, we went to class with the other brothers and the scholar. My third brother was very serious in class. He wants to be like the eldest brother and take the imperial examination so that his family can have a better life in the future."
Zhang Zhaoci said with a smile, "I think you've learned a lot of gossip about the mansion while you're at school."
Xu Zhi said, "Of course, we still have some time after school, so we like to get together and chat. I also know that Fourth Sister likes the heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong's family, but I heard that the heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong's family is in love with Sister Siyan from Aunt Shao's family."
This surprised not only Zhang Zhaoci, but also Granny Lu.
After lunch, the three of them moved to the large kang (heated brick bed) in the banquet area, where they drank tea and continued their previous conversation.
Xu Zhi said, "Fifth Sister told us this secretly. She said that when she went to Aunt Shao's house with her eldest aunt last time, she happened to meet the heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong's family who went to Aunt Shao's house. He even secretly gave Sister Siyan some small gifts. When Fourth Sister found out, her face was gloomy until she came back."
Zhang Zhaoci sighed and said, "Your fourth sister has been spoiled rotten by your eldest uncle and aunt."
Upon hearing this, Granny Lu frowned and said, "Ninth Miss, if you encounter such a thing again outside, you must properly advise Fourth Miss. You are all daughters of the Xu family, of the same blood, sharing the same fate. If she does something wrong, people will laugh at her, and not only will she be laughed at, but also at the several young ladies in our family. We can't let her drag down so many young ladies in this mansion, can we?"
Xu Zhi nodded and said, "I told my fifth sister the same thing. My fifth sister doesn't want to talk to my fourth sister. She said that my fourth sister is too ungrateful and always likes to interpret other people's good intentions as bad. Mother, my fourth sister doesn't like me either. When I first came back, the way she looked at me was strange."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "She looks at everyone with strange eyes. You can't take it personally. She's immature, but we can't be immature like her. Xiao Jiu, what Granny said is right. Sometimes, when a girl in the family does something that brings shame to the family, all the girls in the family will be laughed at. If something like this happens again, you have to help persuade her. Don't be afraid of offending people. We can't let people trample on all the girls in our family just because one immature girl, can we?"
Xu Zhi said, "Mother, I understand. Don't worry, I will talk to my sisters about it. Actually, we think the heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong is not good. I heard that although he is not very old, he is a regular at many brothels."
Upon hearing this, Granny Lu exclaimed in surprise, "You people still talk about this when you're together?"
Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Granny, please don't say that. Of course, my sisters and I don't talk about this. I'm just curious about this young master of the Marquis of Zhongyong's family. It's amazing that two cousins from the Marquis's family are interested in him. So I asked my brother to help me look into it. That's when I found out that he has a good reputation among many young ladies in the capital. I heard that he is a talented and handsome man. His poems are ornate and are sung by many girls in brothels. I think he is a bit frivolous. Since he is so talented, why doesn't he study hard, take the imperial examination, and use his talents to make a difference for the people? Just like my father. From this, it seems that this young master of the Marquis of Zhongyong's family is also a person who seeks fame and fortune."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
